Cubs Listening On Jeff Samardzija

The Cubs are listening on offers for Jeff Samardzija, but the asking price is "high as expected", a source tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The forward-thinking Cubs aren't likely to part with the promising young hurler, but they're at least open to the idea of getting blown away by an offer.

Samardzija, 28, is controlled through the 2015 season and has two remaining years of arbitration eligibility. The right-hander and the Cubs have explored an extension in the past, but he recently said that he hasn't given a new contract much thought.

The Notre Dame product is enjoying another strong campaign for the Cubs, posting a 3.94 ERA with 9.1 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 through 21 starts. The Diamondbacks were said to have a great deal of interest in Samardzija as well as Yovani Gallardo in late June.